COVID-19 impact on hospitalizations in older adults with chronic conditions: a real-world analysis from Lombardy, Italy : Cristina Bosetti
European journal of public health
; 32(Suppl 3), 2022.
Article
in English
| EuropePMC | ID: covidwho-2101679
ABSTRACT
Background Healthcare delivery reorganization during the COVID-19 emergency may have had a significant impact on access to care for older adults with chronic conditions. Methods We investigated such impact among all adults with chronic conditions aged ≥65 years, identified through the electronic health databases of two local health agencies - ATS Brianza and ATS Bergamo - from the Lombardy region, Italy. We considered hospitalizations for 2020 compared to the average 2017-2019 and quantified differences using rate ratios (RRs). Results Overall, in 2017-2019 there were a mean of 374,855 older adults with ≥1 chronic condition per year in the two ATS and 405,371 in 2020. Hospitalizations significantly decreased from 84,624 (225.8/1000) in 2017-2019 to 78,345 (193.3/1000) in 2020 (RR 0.86). Declines were reported in individuals with many chronic conditions and for most Major Diagnostic Categories, except for diseases of the respiratory system. The strongest reductions were observed in hospitalizations for individuals with active tumours, particularly for surgical ones. Hospitalization rates increased in individuals with diabetes, likely due to COVID-19-related diseases. Conclusions Although determinants of the decrease in demand and supply for care among chronic older adults are to be further explored, this raises awareness on their impacts on chronic patients’ health in the medium and long run.
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Collection:
Databases of international organizations
Database:
EuropePMC
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
Language:
English
Journal:
European journal of public health
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
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